Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) In Clinical Psychology Program

Course Descriptions

CLI BL622—

BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR AND LEARNING

(3 credits)

This course examines the biological bases of behavior and learning through the lifespan, including the fundamentals of neuroanatomy, brain development, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and temperament. Interactions between genes, brain, environment and lifestyle (including effects of diet, exercise, and sleep) will be emphasized, and how these impact brain development, learning and memory, and mental health. This knowledge is applied towards understanding typical maturation, as well as developmental conditions such as learning disabilities, ADHD and autism, and clinical mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Students will critically examine a variety of intervention approaches with the goal of becoming lifelong critical consumers of new information in these areas. Principles and theories of learning, motivation and neuropsychologically based interventions are also discussed.